This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
03/28/2018 08:30 AMA true crime reporter, a television producer, a radio host–Jon Leiberman of Madison has earned many professional titles, but at the heart, he is a storyteller.
In his newest role as the board president of Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT, Inc. (LVVS), Jon is dedicating his time and energy to giving people a greater opportunity to share their own stories.
“Literacy Volunteers has a vital purpose in our community and is truly beneficial for all involved. The students are developing literacy and that changes their lives, and the tutors benefit because they give back to their community. Some students have little formal education and in our country, being able to read and write are necessary skills for survival, and to thrive in the community,” he says.
In August 2017, Jon joined the board of the organization that provides free one-on-one tutoring in English literacy skills, and just two months later, took on the role of board president.
“What struck me, hands down, about Literacy Volunteers was the passion and love for the community. I’m most impressed by the small group of people who make up the board and the dozens of tutors who have volunteered their time and energy for many years to help so many students. We are fortunate because we are not struggling for volunteers, and that speaks a lot about the community we live in,” he says.
“Literacy Volunteers is a compelling story of people helping other people to benefit everyone in the community,” he says. “I want to work on getting the word out about what we do. The sole reason we’re here is to improve people’s lives through literacy.”
Jon says that many students overcome significant challenges to learn to read and write English.
“I met a student who came from China and couldn’t read or write at all, and now she can not only read and write, she has become a citizen. Most of our students are adults and many of their children can communicate in English, so it’s important for them to learn, too.”
New students of all backgrounds and literacy levels are welcome at LVVS, and the program is confidential and free to students.
“The organization has been running for many years, however some people are fearful to sign up as students because they are concerned about their immigration status. We can assure everyone that we do not check or report anyone; we are just here to help people in our community,” he says.
The top of Jon’s priority list as president is reinvigorating the LVVS’s Workplace Literacy Program.
“We work with employers and have tutors come to meet students in the workplace during lunch or after work. Many of our students work in the service and manufacturing industries and other customer-based roles, so with our program, they are able to communicate more effectively and are more valuable to their employer,” he says. “The shoreline is made up of small communities and when our students are in the workforce, contributing to the economy, they not only have greater opportunity in their own lives, it’s better for everyone.”
Jon is not the only fresh face in the leadership team at LVVS, with new Executive Director Christine Homa joining the group this year.
“Christine is a lawyer who transitioned into the not-profit sector and it’s great to have her on board. We’re excited about taking the organization forward into the future,” he says.
“Literacy Volunteers has been around for a long time and we working on an exciting next phase,” he says. “The demand for our services is greater than ever, so one of our greatest challenges is fundraising. As government budgets get tighter, we are looking for corporate and community donors, too.”
A Gift for Gab
Communication has been at the core of Jon’s professional life for many years. After graduating with a journalism degree from Northwestern University, his media career began with broadcast reporting jobs in Kansas, New Mexico, and Baltimore. Jon’s many and varied roles include a professor in residence position at the University of Iowa, an investigative correspondent with the Howard Stern Show, and the host and producer of his own daily news show, Leiberman Live on Sirius XM radio. He’s even had a few acting jobs, portraying news anchors on House of Cards and Madam Secretary.
In his lengthy résumé, the job of which Jon is most proud was on-air reporter for America’s Most Wanted, from 2005 to 2011. He was also a crime contributor on many network and cable television programs, including TODAY, Nancy Grace, and The Maury Povich Show.
“The most powerful interviews I’ve done were with victims of crime and the families of victims. You would think that it’s a very dark side of reporting, but they are the most courageous and inspiring people I’ve ever met,” he says.
“America’s Most Wanted is about getting closure and justice for the victims and the families of the victims. One way people get that is through the court system, and another way is through telling their story,” he says. “I’m still in contact with many of the hundreds of victims and families I’ve spent time with over the years. We helped catch many of those criminals and give the victims a sense of justice. It was the most rewarding job I’ve ever done.”
These days, Jon runs his own company, Leiberman Media Inc., and he moved to Madison in September 2016 to live closer to his son, Bryce, in neighboring Killingworth. Jon is the president of the PTO at his son’s school, Haddam-Killingworth Middle School, and they are enthusiastic members of the Guilford Racquet and Swim Club.
“First I had an academic rental in a beach area and it was a great neighborhood. My son was friends with the boys next door, and now I own a house and we still live near them,” he says. “I love Madison. I like being near the water and the town has a nice culture.”
Jon found his latest role with LVVS on the Volunteer Match website and the connection was instant.
“News is a 24/7 job, so now that I’m working differently and have a flexible schedule, I really wanted to do more volunteer work and give back to the community,” he says. “I was looking to get involved with a strong community group that would benefit from my skills as a journalist, so when I found Literacy Volunteers, the stars aligned.”
Literacy Volunteers Valley Shore CT, Inc., welcomes new students, tutors, volunteers, and donations. The organization serves the towns of Chester, Clinton, Deep River, Essex, Guilford, Killingworth, Lyme, Madison, Old Lyme, Old Saybrook, and Westbrook. For more information, visit www.lvvs.org or call 860-399-0280.